Palmeiras prepare for Copa do Brasil opener as Jefté and Paulinho join session | OneFootball

Palmeiras returned to work on Monday at the Academia de Futebol after their 1-0 win over Athletico Paranaense in the Campeonato Brasileiro.

According to Globo.com, Jefté and Paulinho joined part of the group session as they continue reconditioning and physical transition, and there is a possibility the pair could be available to face Jacuipense, Palmeiras' next assignment in 2026.

Jefté is recovering from a thigh muscle injury. Paulinho is in the final stage of transition after surgery on his right leg, and the forward has not played since July 2025.

Players who logged more than 45 minutes on Sunday completed regeneration work in the gym and the recovery and neuroscience rooms at the training centre. Emiliano Martínez, who started in place of Marlon Freitas, was in this group and expressed gratitude for the chance.

He said he felt very good and thanked the club's staff. He noted he had not been getting many minutes, which would not be an excuse for lacking fitness, and added that he dreams of going to the Mundial this year and believes he can keep that possibility alive with minutes in high-quality matches in Brazil.

The rest of the squad played a training match against academy youngsters. Full preparation for the Copa do Brasil debut begins in Tuesday's session.

Two further sessions are planned before Jacuipense. Kick-off is 19:30 on Thursday, with Palmeiras at home in the first leg of the fifth phase.

Source: Globo.com